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Last Chance U: Where are former star players in 2019?

By Phil Poling

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER 27: Rakeem Boyd #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball in the first half of a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Razorback Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Commodores defeated the Razorbacks 45-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER 27: Rakeem Boyd #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball in the first half of a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Razorback Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Commodores defeated the Razorbacks 45-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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BOCA RATON, FL – SEPTEMBER 1: John Franklin III #12 of the Florida Atlantic Owls is tackled by Jarid Ryan #2 of the Navy Midshipmen as he runs with the ball during second quarter action on September 1, 2017 at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
BOCA RATON, FL – SEPTEMBER 1: John Franklin III #12 of the Florida Atlantic Owls is tackled by Jarid Ryan #2 of the Navy Midshipmen as he runs with the ball during second quarter action on September 1, 2017 at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

Defensive Back. Florida Atlantic. 32. player. Pick Analysis. John Franklin III. 57. Scouting Report

John Franklin III was the first high-profile player on Last Chance U, appearing in the show’s original airing, EMCC: Part 1, after he spent two seasons at Florida State. His time at EMCC didn’t go as planned, though, as Franklin essentially took a backseat to Mississippi-native Wyatt Roberts; Franklin did throw for 733 yards and seven touchdowns and added 451 yards and nine rushing scores.

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Before heading to Scooba, Miss., Franklin appeared to be the next-man-up for the Florida State Seminoles quarterback job, but a Notre Dame transfer swooped in and became the starter. After his lone year at EMCC, Franklin re-joined the D-I ranks and signed with Auburn in the SEC for the 2016 season.

Auburn wasn’t the golden opportunity Franklin had hoped for, either, as he played sparingly at the position and only threw for 204 yards and one touchdown. He did see some success on the ground, rushing for 430 yards and two scores on 46 carries. Another year of eligiblity meant another school for Franklin, though, and he continued chasing his dream at Florida Atlantic University.

FAU forced a position change for Franklin in 2017 — from quarterback to wide receiver — but it put his versatility on full display. He didn’t do anything spectacular for the Owls, rushing for 229 yards and two scores while adding 95 yards and another score through the air, but it was a good experience for Franklin if nothing else.

When he didn’t hear his name called at the 2018 NFL Draft, Frankin’s story didn’t end. He wound up signing with the Chicago Bears, but endured another position change, this time to the opposite side of the ball. As of the 2019 offseason, Franklin is listed as a defensive back for the Chicago Bears.

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